Pressure regulator



Nov. 8, 1949 M. H. GROVE ETAL 2,487,650

- PRESSURE REGULATOR Filed Aug. 29, 1947 2 sheets-sheet 1 FllE-J.-

INveN-rons Marv/'n H Grove lYus/'n Bris/1f ATTO R N EVS Patented Nov. 8, 1949 PRESSURE REGULATOR Marvin H. Grove, Piedmont,

and Austin U.

Bryant, Berkeley, Calif., assignors to Fluid Control Engineering Co., a partnership consis'ing of Marvin H. Grove and Julia E. Grove, both of Piedmont, Calif.

Application August 29, 1947, Serial No. 771,256

claims. 1

This invention relates generally to devices employed for effecting automatic control of iiuid flow. It is particularly applicable for pressure reducing regulators where it is desired to reduce iiuid pressure from a high pressure system to a predetermined low pressure value.

It is an object of the invention to provide a regulating means of the above character which incorporates both pressure reducing and pressure relief means in a novel simplied combination.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel form of pressure reducing regulator which can be adjusted over a relatively wide range of outlet pressures.

A further object oi' the invention is to provide a novel combined pressure reducing and relief device which enables adjustment of the outlet pressure over a relatively wide range while simultaneously and automatically setting the ypressure relief valve.

Additional objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiment has been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing; Y

Figure l is a side elevational view in section illustrating a pressure reducing regulator incorporating the present, invention.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 2-2 of Fig/ure l.

' Figure 3 is a side elevational-New in section illustrating another embodiment of the invention.

In the past commercial pressure reducing reg ulators of the Grove type (see Patent 2,047,101) have utilized gas under pressure acting upon one side of a diaphragm for the purpose of loading the diaphragm for a given outlet pressure. The Grove type regulator can be adjusted to vary the outlet pressure by changing the gas loading pressure. Generally this is accomplished by bleeding in a certain amount of gas into the dome or chamber above the diaphragm, or by permitting air to vent out in the event the pressure is to be reduced.

A pressure reducing regulator of the Grove type can be combined in a novel manner with a pressure relief valve as shown in co-pending application Serial No. 586,136, filed April 2, 1945. In that instance a gas pressure loaded relief valve is connected with the outlet passage of the regulator. The loading chamber of the relief valve is connected to the loading chamber of the regulator, whereby the relief valve is automatically set to vent fluid from the outlet side of the regl is set.

ulator in the event an outlet pressure is attained considerably above that for which the regulator This novel combination is particularly advantageous in that upon changing the setting of the regulator, by increasing or decreasing the loading pressure, the pressure relief valve is reset automatically."

The present invention consists of a regulator which likewise incorporates a pressure relief valve, but the present invention incorporates novel means enabling a change in the setting of the regulator without introducing or venting gw from the pressure chamber.

The preferred form of the invention illustrated in the drawing consists oi a body lil provided with iniiow and outflow passages il and l2. A seat ring it is mounted Within the body, whereby the orifice ill through this ring communicates between the inlet and outlet passages. A movable valve member it cooperates with the seat ring its, and is shown provided with a conical valve surface il'.

'in the particular embodiment illustrated the valve it is substantially balanced with respect to the pressures acting upon the same. Thus it is attached to one end of a sleeve it which lits like a piston in a cylindrical bore i9, formed in the closure plug 2l. Suitable sealing means such as the resilient 0 ring 22 prevents leakage past the sleeve i8. Port 23 serves to vent the interior of sleeve i8 with the outlet side of the seat. A light compression spring 24 normally urges the valve toward closed position.

In the particular embodiment illustrated fluid tight sealing engagement between the valve member and the seat is aided by the use of a relatively thin disc 26 formed of suitable resilient material such as natural or synthetic rubber. This disc is shown provided with a rim 21 which ts snugly about the lower portion of the ring i3, and also with a sealing bead 28. A small metal. cap it serves to retain the disc 26 in operative position.

The body serves to .mount a main operating diaphragm 3l made of suitable iiexible material such as natural or synthetic rubber. A rigid plate 3-2 extends over the diaphragm 3l, and is provided with an annular clamping shoulder 33, which together with the annular shoulder il@ formed on the body serves to clamp and grip the outer peripheral edge portion of the diaphragm. The lower side of the diaphragm 3l is engaged by the rigid diaphragm plate 36, which is operatively connected by a thrust rod 3d with the valve member i6 as illustrated. The

relatively vsmall space or clearance 39V betweenV the upper surface of diaphragm 3| and the lower surface ofl plate 32,'is in restricted communication with the space or chamber 4| above the plate 32, through the restricted orificeV 42.

It may be explained at this point that the plate 32 in coniunction with the restricted orifice 42 corresponds to the plate 58 and orifice 62 of Patent 2,047,101, and that this arrangement prevents uncontrolled fluttering or chattering of the 44. Shell 43 is suitably secured to the body as by means of the threaded connection 48. and suitable means such as the resilient O ring 41 is provided to seal this connection against leakage. 'The lower end of the inner sleeve y44 seats upon the annular shoulder 49 provided on the periphery of plate 32. and its upper end is engawd bv a bonnet 49 which has a threaded connecton 5| with shell 43. Leakage through connection 5| is likewise prevented bv suitable sealinl.r means such as a resilient ring 52.

Ftted within the sleeve 44 there is a piston assembly 53. This includes the disc-like member 54 formed of a suitable metal or other rigid material. in coniunetion with a second fluid operated diaphragm 56. 'The diaphragm 58 is preferably formed of suitable resilient material such as natural or svnthetic rubber. Its maior central area is stifiened as by means of the relatively rigid metal dis-c 51, which is vulcanized or bonded to the rubber. The resilient peripheral portion 59 of the diaphragm permits limited diaphragm movements as will be presently explained. The peripheral margin of the diaphraem is provided with a rim 59 and a ring-like beaded edge 6|. Rim 59 fits over an annular shoulder G2 formed on member 54, and bead 6| is accommodated in an annular groove 63 in the member 54. Normally sufficient radial "squeeze or pressure is applied to bead 6| to provide a seal between the piston and the sleeve 44. Likewise the engagement between plate 3.2 and the lower end of the sleeve 44 is sealed as by means of resilient O rina,r 64. It' will be noted that the outer face of the beaded edge is rounded. while the Ainner face has a right angle shoulder which engages the upper face of the piston shoulder 82.

Member 54 of the piston assembly is attached to one end of the operating rod 66, which extends upwardly through an opening 61 in the bonnet 49. Leakage between these parts is prethe lower end of the rod Il. A e 19 in the vented by .suitable sealing means such as the resilient 0 ring 68. The upper end of rod 69 has a threaded engagement 69 with the operating knob 1|. This knob also has a threaded engagement 12 with the bonnet 49. These engagements are right and lefthand threaded, whereby travel is imparted to the rod 66 and the rotation of the knob 1|.

Suitable means is provided to prevent rotation of the piston assembly upon rotation of the knob 1|. Thus a coil spring 13 surrounds the rod 66. and has its one end anchored to member 54 of piston upon spaanse..

Vto the bonnet 4I. Y Y

.Relief valve means is associated with the sec- 1 ond diaphragm Il. This relief valve means consists of an annular seat 14 which is formed on rod 94 extendsfrom the ermee-of thisse'atto the recess 11 in bonnet `49, which in turn connecis with the vent duct 1l. A recess 19 is formed in the member I4 above the seat 14 and is connected by duct 9| with the space I2 above the piston assembly. Space 92 is in turn in communication with the outlet e I2 of the regulator, through ports 82 in the lupper part of the sleeve 44, Aspace between this sleeve and the outer shell 43. and the duct 99.

For a reason presently to be explained it is desirable to provide means for manually bleeding off air from the space 4| between the piston assembly andl plate 32. Thus a small duct 81 leads from the space 4| to the needle valve 99. Upon manually opening this valve a desired amount of gas can be bled from the space 4|. or the presure in this space can be equalized with atmospheric pressure.4

Operation of the regulator described above is as follows: It will be assumed that inlet passage is connected to a high pressure gassystem, and outlet |2 connected to a low pressure system. The piston assembly is initially moved to the upper end of its travel by turning knob 1|, and then the space 4| below the piston is brought to atmospheric pressure by opening the needle valve 98. After this needle valve has been closed, knob 1| is turned to advance the piston assembLv and thus to compress the air in space 4|. As the air pressure in space 4| increases the outlet pressure increases accordingly. Assuming that one has a pressure gauge connected to the outlet passage, knob 1| can be turned to a position which will give the desired pressure value. In a valve of this type the outlet pressure is invariably slightly less than the pressure in the chamber 4| Therefore the pressure in space 4| is adequate to hold the diaphragm 56 closed upon the seat 14. In the event through some faulty or abnormal condition, such as failure of the main valve I6 to seat properly, the outlet pressure rises to a value substantially greater than the pressure in chamber 4|, such outlet pressure applied to the upper side of diaphragm 56 causes this diaphragm to be opened with respect to seat 14, thus permitting outlet pressure to vent to the atmosphere through passage 1B, recess 11 and duct 18. Likewise if the setting of the regulator is reduced by retracting the piston assembly, pressure in chamber 4| may be reduced to such a value as to automatically cause venting of gas from the outlet side of the regulator, thus tending to reduce outlet pressure to a value not greatly, in excess of the new outlet pressure for which the regulator is Set.

Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the invention. In this instance the body is provided with inlet and outlet passages 9| and 92, and a removable seat ring 93 similar to the ring I3 of Figure 1. Valve member 94 engages the seat ring, and is attached to the piston-like member 95. The body closure plug 91 has a cylindrical bore 98 to receive sleeve 96, and the ilt between these parts is sealed by suitable means such as the resilient. 0 ring 99. The operating rod for the valve member 94 has an end portion |02 which slidably extends through a central opening provided in the valve member. and the lower resilient diaphragm |26.

end of' extension |02 is provided with a nut |03 which engages the lower end of the compression spring |04. The upper end of rod is attached to the flexible uid pressure operated diaphragm |06. The diaphragm assembly includes the upper and lower rigid diaphragm plates |01 and |08, which in turn are secured to and clamped together by the upper end of rod |0|. The rigid plate |09 overlying the diaphragm is similar to the plate 32 of Figure i. It is held in place on the body by the tubular sleeve i and is sealed with respect to the sleeve by the resilient 0 ring |2.

The tubular sleeve i|| is within the outer tubular shell i3. The lower end of the latter has a threaded engagement with the body and this engagement is sealed by the O ring ill. The piston HG is fitted within the tubular sleeve iii and is loosely carried upon the lower or inner end of the rod lil. Rod |I'l extends to the exterior through the closure bonnet H0, and has a simple threaded engagement ||9 with the same. Leakage between the rod and the bonnet H3 is prevented by suitable sealing means such as the resilient 0 ring iti. The bonnet has a threaded engagement 22 with the upper end of the shell I3, and leakage between these parts is prevented by suitable means such as the resilient 0 ring |23. Likewise the bonnet ||8 engages the upper end of the inner tubular sleeve thus forcing this sleeve downwardly against the rigid plate |09. The exterior end of the operating rod carries a hand operating Wheel or knob |2ll.

The body of the piston ||6 is provided with a A peripheral portion |21 of this diaphragm forms in effect a rim, which is provided with a resilient sealing bead |28. The bead is accommodated within the annular groove |29 of the piston, and it will be noted that the inner peripheral portion of the bead i-s provided with right angle corners which completely lill the corners of the recess, whereas the outer peripheral portion of the bead presents a rounded or arcuate face for engagement with the inner surface oi the tubular sleeve Hi. The bead is placed under sufficient radial pressure to properly seal against the pressures involved. A rigid metal disc |3| is bonded to the resilient diaphragm in substantially the same manner as the rigid disc 5l of Figure l.

As in Figure 1 the exterior face of the diaphragm engages the valve seat |32 formed on the lowermost or inner end of the operating rod lil. Passage |33 extends from seat |32 through the rod l and at it upper end is vented to the atmosphere. The space surrounding the seat |32 is in free communication with the space |34 through duct |36, and this space in turn is in communication with the outlet 92 by port |37, space |30 between the tubular sleeve and the outer shell ||3, and ports |30 in the valve body.

Operation of the pressure reducing regulator illustrated in Figure 3 is substantially the same as that of Figure 1. The loading pressure in space |4| can be adjusted by turning the Operating knob |24, which in turn determines the position of the piston HS. As previously explained this serves to automatically adjust the outlet pressure, and also the pressure for which the relief valve is set to open. There is a direct attachment in this instance between the operating diaphragm |06 and the valve member 94. These parts together with the rod |0| are proportioned or adjusted in such a fashion that when the diaphragm |08 is forced upwardly to its extreme limiting position by outlet pressure below the same, the spring |04 is compressed by a small amount of lost motion between rod |0| and valve member 94. For normal operation of the regulator when the valve member 94 is partially or fully open, the valve member is held in fixed relationship with respect to the operating rod by the compression spring.

We claim:

1. In a fluid flow control device, a body having inflow and outilow passages and a valve seat disposed between the passages, a movable valve member cooperating with the seat, a fluid pressure operated diaphragml carried by the body and adapted to actuate the valve member, means forming a cylinder on one side of the diaphragm, a piston movably fitted in the cylinder to thereby form between the piston and the diaphragm a closed chamber adapted to contain gas under pressure to provide loading force upon the diaphragm, said piston incorporating a second fluid pressure operated diaphragm, and relief valve means associated with the exterior face of said last named diaphragm, the inlet side of said pressure relief valve means having a fluid connection with said outlet passage.

2. In a fluid flow control device, a body having inflow and outflow passages and a stationary valve seat between the passages, a movable valve member cooperating with the seat, a fluid pressure operated diaphragm carried by the body and adapted to actuate the valve member, a cylinder extending from one side of the diaphragm, a piston fitted in the cylinder and serving to form in conjunction with the cylinder a closed gas chamber on one side of the diaphragm to provide loading force upon the latter, a flexible diaphragm carried by the inner face of the piston, and pressure relief valve means associated with the exterior face of the diaphragm, said last named means comprising a valve seat carried by the piston and adapted to be normally engaged by the exterior face of the second diaphragm, an area of the second diaphragm surrounding said seat being in communication with the outlet passage, the orice of the valve seat being vented to the atmosphere, said pressure relief valve means serving to vent fluid from the discharge side of the device in the event the outlet pressure rises above that for which the device is set.

3. In a pressure reducing regulator, a body having inflow and outflow passages and a valve seat between the passages, a movable valve member cooperating with the seat, a fluid pressure operated diaphragm carried by the body and adapted to actuate the valve member, one side of said diaphragm being exposed to the outflow pressure, a cylinder on the other side of the diaphragm, a piston fitted in said cylinder and serving to form in conjunction with the cylinder a closed chamber on said other side of the diaphragm adapted to contain gas under pressure to provide loading force for the rst named diaphragm, said piston including a second fluid pressure operated diaphragm having a flexible peripheral edge of the same in sealing contact with the inner side walls of the cylinder, and pressure relief valve means carried by the piston and having the inlet side communicating with the outflow passage of the regulator, said pressure relief valve means comprising a valve seat carried by the piston and normally in sealing engagement with the exterior face of the second diaphragm, the exterior area of the second diaphragm surrounding said seat being exposed to the pressure on the inlet side of the relief valve. the orice surrounded by said seat being in communication with the atmosphere.

4. A pressure reducing regulator as in claim 3 together with means adapted to be manually operated for adjusting the position of the piston and to thereby adjust the outflow pressure ofthe regulator.

5. In a ilow control device, a body having inflow and outow passages and a valve seat between the passages, a movable valve member cooperating with the seat, a fluid pressure operated diaphragm adapted to actuate the valve member, a cylinder provided on one side of the diaphragm, a piston tted in the cylinder and forming in conjunction with the cylinder a closed gas chamber on one side of the diaphragm, said piston comprising a second diaphragm, said second diaphragm having a peripheral edge portion formed of flexible material with a bead upon its outer peripheral edge, the piston being provided with a groove to receive said bead whereby said bead serves to eilectively seal between the piston and the cylinder, and pressure relief valve means 18 carried by the piston and having the inlet side communicating with the outflow passage of the regulator, said pressure relief valve means comprising a valve seat carried by the piston and normally in sealing engagement with the interior face o! the second diaphragm, the exterior area of the second diaphragm surrounding said seat being exposed to the pressure on the inlet side of the relief valve, the orice surrounded by said seat being in communication with the atmosphere.

MARVIN H. GROVE. AUSTIN U. BRYANT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ille of Athis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 466,275 Fasoldt Dec. 29, 1891 2,147,850 MacLean Feb. 21, 1939 2,195,242 Dow Mar. 26, 1940 

